HISTORY OF CARROLL, COOS COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Information located at http://www.nh.searchroots.com On a web site about GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE and its counties TRANSCRIBED BY JANICE BROWN Please see the web site for my email contact. ---------------------------------- The original source of this information is in the public domain, however use of this text file, other than for personal use, is restricted without written permission from the transcriber (who has edited, compiled and added new copyrighted text to same). ****DO NOT LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS TEXT FILE, INSTEAD LINK TO THE FOLLOWING URL***: http://www.nh.searchroots.com/coos.html#Carroll ======================================================== History of Coös County, New Hampshire by George Drew Merrill; Syracuse N.Y.: W.A. Fergusson & Co., 1888, 1888, 1018 pgs. page 427 CARROLL lies at the northwestern base of the White Mountains. Its surface presents a rugged and mountainous appearance; the scenery is wild, picturesque and romantic, and is attractive to lovers of nature. It is bounded north by Jefferson, east by the White Mountain territory, south by Grafton county, and west by Bethlehem and Whitefield, and had an area of 24,640 acres. Pondicherry mountain, of considerable elevation, is situated on the north part of the town, between it and Jefferson. John's and Israel's rivers have their rise partly in Carroll, and the head waters of the Ammonoosuc from the neighboring mountains unite and pass through the town. CARROLL was originally named "Bretton Woods" and granted to Sir Thomas Wentworth, Rev. Samuel Langdon and eighty-one others in 1772. It was incorporated under its present name, June 22, 1832. By an act approved June 22, 1848, a portion of Nash and Sawyer's Location was annexed to it. June 27, 1857, several lots of land lying south of the town were annexed. July 2, 1878, another portion of Nash and Sawyer's Location was added, and by act of legislature this year (1887) Crawford's Grant and all of Nash and Sawyer's Location became part of Carroll. The soil in some parts is deep and productive, and there are several fine farms here, but the prosperity of the town began with the opening of the summer hotels and the coming of the railroad. It has been through these that property has increased in value, business extended, and intelligence on necessary and popular topics has been more generally diffused. At the time of the settling of Carroll there was an immense quantity of pine and spruce timber, now almost entirely cut off by lumbermen. The greater part of the pioneers were people of limited means, and their struggles to obtain homes and a bare living were many times without results; some became disheartened and removed to other towns; others worked on, lived their hard lives, died and are forgotten; a few, who, although dependent on their own exertions, had the benefit of education, labored and accomplished their object, built comfortable houses, and added to the wealth of the town by their industry. PIONEERS--One of the first to settle in Carroll was an Irishman, Ingerson, who, about the year 1812, located on the east side of Cherry mountain. Beaver were numerous, and knowing nothing about this animal, on seeing a hedge hog, Ingerson shouted to his son, "Jamie, run quick, here's a baver [sic];" and ran and caught hold of the bristling quills of the animal with both hands. He then shouted to Jamie, "Hould on, Jamie, don't touch him, he's a coarse-haired baver." Although nearly three-quarters of a century has passed since that time, yet in 1886, a Cherry mountain resident saw a huge black bear not far from his house, which "wobbled" along with a very-much-at-home air, but the beaver have long since disappeared. Stephen Hartford settled in the same neighborhood later. Thomas Applebee, John Remick, and Henry Rines located there about 1825. John Remick was a farmer, a hard worker, and a most industrious man. He was small, weighing but a little over a hundred pounds. He took a job to cut one hundred cords of wood, and cut, corded, and drew it in twenty-five days. Asa French built the first house on what is now the Ebenezer Glines' place. He did not remain many years. Levi and John Muzzy came from Unity and located on the west side of Cherry mountain. They were blacksmiths by trade, and were here a number of years. Joseph Clark and his wife were from Moultonborough, and became permanent settlers. Phineas Rosebrook, Sr., one of the pioneers of Carroll, came here in the spring of 1807. He lived in a small log house put up some time before by Abel Crawford; this stood about where Frank B. Rosebrook's house now stands. A piece of woodland had been felled the year before. He had a yoke of oxen and a cow. He cut up the trees, but was so disabled by lameness that his wife and Betsey Tuttle, both strong women, did the logging and seeded the land. His son Phineas was born here in June of that year. Mr. Rosebrook put up buildings, raised a large family, was a worker, and added to the prosperity of the town in its early struggle for existence. Dearborn Crawford, son of Abel, located on the west side in 1820, near where the town house stands. He was a stalwart man, and possessed good judgment as well as experience in all matters of a pioneer life. He resided there many years and had a large family. In 1827 John Howe came from Whitefield and settled on the place now occupied by four generations of the family. He was a deacon of the Baptist church in Whitefield, and was chosen deacon of the church organized in Carroll. He was justice of the peace, selectman and town clerk for many years, and a very valuable man in the settlement. He was the first selectman in town, and the first postmaster. Howe was followed by Levi Morrill, Calvin White, Elijah Curtis, Asahel Wheeler. Four brothers came from Moultonborough, nephews of the John and Israel Glines whose names are perpetuated by John's and Israel's rivers--James H., William E., Ebenezer, and Jesse. All settled near together, cleared farms, and, in 1886, all by James H. were living. Curtis and Wheeler were here for a time, but none of either family are now residents. Among others was Elias Moody. He made his home near the side of Cherry mountain. His son, Josiah, was a useful citizen, conversant with town affairs, and of service to the little community. Lot Jenness became a permanent resident, and, in the inventory of 1833, William Jenness is also mentioned. Harley E. Jenness, grandson of Lot Jenness, has served the town in many official capacities, and is now (1887) chairman of the board of county commissioners. National Bickford acquired property and his descendants reside on the homestead. Edward Melcher came from Bartlett about 1820. Mr. Melcher is the only survivor of the discoverers of the Willey family after the great slide of 1826, and is a wonderfully preserved old man. Many others came, but did not become permanent settlers; they built rude dwellings, made a little clearing and wrong a portion of their meager sustenance from among the stumps, but this hard battle for existence soon discouraged them. After Phineas Rosebrook Jr. attained man's estate, he built and operated starch mills, and this industry gave employment to some, and a market for their potatoes to others; in this and various ways the settlement gained, got a strong foot-hold, and Carroll today is a prosperous town. ROADS--Col. Whipple owned most, if not all of the township, and he laid out from the "Ryefield," where the Twin Mountain House is, a bridle path to Jefferson. The first road was the Tenth New Hampshire Turnpike. The road to Bethlehem was very poor. A large amount of teaming (hauling pork) from Vermont to Portland was done about 1815 to 1820, and sometimes a hundred teams would pass in a day. John Guild, of Littleton, Lot Woodbury, of Bethlehem, and Phineas Rosebrook Sr., all keepers of small teamsters' hotels, took up a subscription in Vermont and Portland, and improved the highway by making a good road from sixteen to eighteen feet wide, taking out the stones and stumps, and turnpiking. This was about 1820. MILLS--Col. Whipple built a saw and grist-mill on the Ammonoosuc falls very early. It was a cheap affair, with but one run of stones, and lasted only a few years. In 1826 Abel crawford erected a saw-mill. ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN The first town record now in existence is a call for a town meeting, issued April 13, 1831, by Thomas Montgomery, justice of the peace of Whitefield, to whom application had been made for that purpose. This notified "the inhabitants of Breton Woods" and others interested, that a town meeting would be held at Asahel Wheeler's house, in said Breton Woods, on Saturday, the thirteenth day of April, for the following purposes: First, to choose a moderator to govern said meeting; second, to choose a town clerk for the year ensuing; third, to choose selectmen and other necessary town officers. Record of the town meeting--Agreeable to the foregoing warrant the meeting was opened, and proceeded as follows: Chose John How moderator to govern said meeting; chose Thomas Smith town clerk, and being present took the oath prescribed by law; chose John How first selectman, chose Thomas Smith second selectman, chose John Perkins, third selectman; chose Calvin White hog reeve. Attest Ebenezer Glines, town clerk of "Carroll." John How, Thomas Smith and John Perkins, selectmen of "Breton Woods," called a town-meeting for Breton Woods, which was held at the dwelling house of Calvin White, March 13, 1832. Phineas Rosebrook was chosen moderator, Thomas Smith, town clerk, John How, Thomas Smith and Levil Morril, selectmen. "Voted that the literary fund money already received in Breton Woods shall be paid out for schools already taught." At the same meeting of Breton woods there were 17 votes cast for various state and county level positions, and attested by Ebenezer Glines, town clerk. Bretton Woods appears no more in the calls for records of town meetings, but the selectman above named call the NEXT meeting recorded as selectmen of CARROLL. This met September 12, 1832 at the same place as before... [more information in the original book not included here.] In 1833, among other things, it was voted that "hogs shall not run at large," and William Denison was licensed to keep a tavern at his dwelling house for one year. The FIRST RESIDENT'S INVENTORY was made in 1833 and showed acreage of land and animals they owned. Only the names of the landowners are as follows: Lorenzo D. Hartford, John Remick, Henry Rines, James Rines, John Woodman, Samuel Bartlet, Asa French, Lot Jenness, William Jenness, Levi Muzzy, John Muzzy, Joseph French, Asa French Jr., Abel Crawford Jr., Dearborn Crawford, Joseph Clark, Nathaniel Bickford, Elijah Curtis, William Burgin, Ebenezer Glines, William Glines, Isaac F. Hodgdon, John How, Jonas How, Levi Morrill, Edward Melcher, John Perkins, Marvin R. Proctor, Asa Place, Luis Place, William Rice, Jonathan Rice, Phineas Rosebrook Jr., Thomas Smith, Elijah Stanton, Calvin White, William Denison, Phineas Rosebrook, Charles Remick, John Stalbird, and George T. Wilson. Non-resident landowners of the time were Alfred W. Haven and Lora Odell; Haven, Ladd and Pierce, Ethan A. Crawford, Samuel Wiley, Richard Odell, Dodge & Abbott, F.P.Pillsbury, and Asahel Wheeler. 1834. George T. Wilson and William Denison are each licensed to keep tavern for one year. The town meeting meets at the "school-house" for the first time. 1835. At the annual town meeting March 12, a larger number of new officers were voted for than had been the custon. Highway districts having been established, five surveyors were chosen; four hog reeves were elected; Asahel Wheeler chosen pound keeper, and his barn-yard to be the pound. Twenty-five dollars were raised for schools. Voted to buy a piece of ground for a burial place, and John How, Samuel Bartlett and Thomas Smith chosen committee to locate and buy the ground. 26 votes were cast for various state and county officers. The line between Whitefield and Carroll was examined and re-marked by the selectmen of these towns. [some years and info in original document not included here]. 1837. George T. Wilson allowed four dollars for breaking roads last winter. 1841. Petitioners for a new highway include: Ira R. Glines, Ephraim R. Bartlett, F.A. Bartlett, Stephen Hovey, Edward Melcher, Stephen H. Cale, Elias Bacon, N.L. Richardson, Elias Moody, David B. Curtis, Lot Jenness, John Howe, Phineas Rosebrook Jr., and Charles Phelps. In the same year petitoners for a new highway include Nathaniel Bickford, John Howe, Charles Phelps, William Glines, Alvah Bickford, Mitchell W. Howe and Samuel Thompson. 1844. Voted thirty-four votes against and four votes for the abolition of capital punishment. EARLY BIRTHS RECORDED--Lee Rosebrook, son of Phineas Rosebrook Jr., born July 8, 1829; Hannah Jane, daughter of same, born December 12, 1831; Amasa, son of same, born January 25, 1835; Mark, son of same, born December 18, 1838; Franklin B., son of same, born December 19, 1840. Children of Ebenezer Glines--William W.W., born November 2, 1832; Elvira P.M., October 13, 1833; Woodbury S., August 25, 1835; Nelson H., August 25, 1837; Martha A., November 11, 1845. Children of Francis Pillsbury--Caroline Pillsbury, born October 25, 1834; Charles Pillsbury, born November 12, 1836. ------------------- [Note, the book lists CARROLL town officers from 1832-1886, they are not included here] CIVIL WAR ACTION IN THE REBELLION--August 28, 1862, the town voted to pay to each volunteer that has enlisted since August 11, and will enlist for three years for the quota of Carroll; also to pay each soldier that will volunteer for nine months, $50; also to adopt the act in force for the aid of families of volunteers. [no names of the volunteers are mentioned here]. POPULATION--The population in 1800 was 18; 1850, 299; 1860, 276; 1870, 328; 1880, 632. RELIGION--The prevailing belief of this community is that of the Free Will Baptists, although there were some Methodists, Baptists, and a small number of Adventists. A Free Will Baptist society existed here early; Royal Berry was a pastor at one time. In 1885 the Free Will Baptists erected a church about half way between the Twin Mountain House and the town house, seating 250 persons. Regular services were held during the year. They also had a Sunday-school with Nathaniel S. Howe as superintendent. The current [1887] pastor is Rev Dexter Waterman.... The Adventists hold semi-monthly meetings in the town hall, Rev. Mr. Eastman coming from Littleton to preach. POSTOFFICES--Carroll postoffice, with a weekly mail, was established early at Jonas Howe's. He was postmaster for many years. This office was discontinued about twenty years ago, when South Carroll office, established ten years previously, was changed to Twin Mountain. H.E. Jenness is postmaster at Twin Mountain. J.E. Henry is postmaster of Zealand postoffice, established in 1883. Fabyan's postoffice is at the Fabyan House; L.C. Boyce postmaster. MANUFACTURERS OF LUMBER In 1870: R.D. Rounsevel & Co., John T.G.Leavitt & Co., Libbey & Gove, C.O. Burbank & Co., Benjamin Calden. In 1875: M.B. Berry, C.O. Burbank, Rounsevel & Colburn, Leavitt, Nason & Co. In 1880: George Stewart, Henry, John & Baldwin In 1887: George Van Dyke & Co., STARCH MANUFACTURERS: In 1870:Phineas Rosebrook & Son, Wilder & Gove. In 1875: P. Rosebrook & Son, Wilder & Swett. CHARCOAL: In 1887, J.E. Henry MERCHANTS: In 1887: J.E. Henry, H.E. Jenness, J.F. Leavitt J.E. Henry, Charles Joy, and H.J. Baldwin started manufacturing as successors to Rounsevel & Colburn on the site of the Van Dyke & Co.'s present plant. They erected large charcoal kilns and gave employment to about 300 men. In 1880 they put up the large steam mill now in operation. It is of two hundred horse power, contains a rotary saw, shingle, lath, clapboard and box machine. In 1881 the firm was Henry & Baldwin. In 1882 J.E. Henry became the sold proprietor. In 1885 a railroad was commenced to transport logs to this mill, and a charter has since been obtained to extend this road southerly to connect with the Pemigewasset Branch railroad, with the name of Zealand Valley railroad. Van Dyke & Co. (COnnecticut Lumber Company and J.H. Locke) operate the Henry mill under a five years' lease, which expires in November, 1890, and give employment to sixty men. They produce 45,000 feet of lumber, from 20,000 to 25,000 lath, and a car-load of boxes weekly. J.H. Locke is manager. They keep a small stock of merchandize. Zealand Village has been built to accomodate the workmen in the employ of Mr. Henry and Van Dyke & Co. There are some prosperous farmers in Carroll, prominent among whom are H.E. Whitcomb, Frank B. Rosebrook, Isaac Thompson, Charles Pillsbury and Sylvester W. Kelley. FABYAN'S--The hotel and place known everywhere by this name, stands upon what was once the Giant's Grave. Starr King tells us that there was a tradition that an Indian maniac once stood on this ridge, and swinging a blazing pitch-pine torch, which he had kindled at a tree struck by lightning, shouted in the storm this prophecy--"The Great Spirit whispered in my ear, no pale-face shall take deep roots here." The site was first occupied by Abel Crawford, who lived in a log hut here many months. In the winter of 1792, Eleazer Rosebrook and family lived in the cabin. In 1803 he erected a rude inn, a teamster's tavern, here; in 1817 this was occupied by E.A. Crawford as a hotel; this was burned in 1818. In 1839 Ethan Allen Crawford put up a two story tavern, which was painted red. This was also destroyed by a fire. A hotel erected by Mr. Fabyan was burned about 1867. The present Fabyan House, built in 1872-73, is a big, square hotel where 400 guests can be accomodated. Here all the railways of the White Mountain region concentrate, and, during the season, the crowd of people coming and going is almost innumerable. CRAWFORD HOUSE--The first house of the Crawfords was built about 1793, twelve miles below the Gate of the North. This was known as the Mt. Crawford Tavern. After the destruction of the "Notch Tavern," in 1826, The crawfords erected a house (120x36) just above the Gtae of the Notch, which was opened in January 1829, and was well patronized by teamsters and stage travellers, and also by hunters and fishermen. In 1840 this was conducted by Thomas J. Crawford, son of Abel, who, in 1851, began the erection of a larger house. In 1852 Eastman, Tilton & Co., in connection with E.J.M. Hale and James H. Carleton, of Haverhill, Mass., purchased the interest of Thomas J. Crawford, in the Crawford House, and completed the hotel then in process of construction. This was burned Saturday, May 1, 1859. On Monday Colonel Eastman drew the rough plan of a new hotel, to be 200 feet front, with two wings of 200 feet each, two and three stories in height. On conferring with his partners, they seemed to consider it a fore-gone conclusion that no hotel could be put up to take the place of the burned Crawford House until the season had passed. Colonel Eastman's characteristic energy now showed itself. "I will guarantee to have a new house ready to receive guests in sixty days, with three days grace." The response was "go ahead." Colonel Eastman set to work, sent his plans to the chosen architect for arrangement, made a flying trip to all the mills within quite a radius, purchased all the lumber on hand, and night and day devoted himself to the work before him. As the cars only ran to Littleton, everything had to be hauled from that point, and in ten days time he had 150 men and seventy give oxen and horses at work. He was everywhere present, superintended everything, averted disaster and prevented delays, and opened the new Crawford House to travellers July 13 1859, when forty received dinner, and 100 were entertained for the night. This house has a magnificent location upon a little plateau just north of the Gate of Crawford Notch. In front of the house is a picturesque little lake, the source of the Saco river, and, just beyond, the Elephant's Head guards the entrance to the narrow pass. Mt. Willard rears its shapely mass upon the right, and partly in front of the hotel; and the long serrated ridge of Mt. Webster forms the west wall of the Notch. East of the lake, and lying along its shores and upon the slopes above, is a luxuriant grove of old trees designated as Idlewild. Streams descent from the heights on either side, forming, at no great distance from the hotel, beautiful cascades. Beyond the Gate of the Notch, and within the confines of the pass, are other cascades and several rock profiles. Oscar and Asa Barron, brothers, largely identified themselves with the building up of the hotel business of the western side of the White Mountains, and did much to develop summer travel. Both were active and energetic men, and were connected with the erection and conducting of the Twin Mountain House, Fabyan's, Mt. Pleasant House, Crawford's and the Mt. Washington Houses. Both are now dead. Col. Oscar G. Barron is their successor. TWIN MOUNTAIN HOUSE--takes its name from two prominent peaks of the Franconia range. This house is well known as a quiet, secluded mountain retreat, and a pleasant resting-place for invalids. It was built about 1870, stands upon a terrace, faces east, is surrounded by ornamental grounds, and has room for 300 guests. The boating on the mill-pond is very enjoyable; the cuisine is excellent, and this hotel well merits the favor it meets with the travelling public. The Twin mountains are nearly 5,000 feet in height, and from the northern summit can be seen a vast panorama of valleys, highways and villages; on the west the Presidential range, and eastward, the Connecticut valley, while on the south an almost boundless stretch of craggy and wooded mountain forms a pleasing variety to the views. PLEASANT VIEW HOUSE is capable of accomodating twenty-five guests, and meets the wants of persons who prefer a small house. THE MOUNT PLEASANT HOUSE, which has been greatly enlarged within a few years past, is situated a short distance from Fabyan's, with a glorious outlook upon the grand peaks of the Presidential range. Mt. Pleasant from which the hotel takes its name, rises in majestic form at the right; while the taller Mt. Washington is in front, flanked by Monroe and Franklin on one side, and Clay, Jefferson and Adams on the other. The railroad station is just in front of the house, and fron the front piazzas and windows the Mt. Washington cars can be plainly seen on their winding way up the mountain side and frequently into the clouds. The quietnes, which the railway conveniences, the attractions of the grove on the hillside in the rear, and the substantial comforts of this house combine to recommend it to a large class of people. WHITE MOUNTAIN HOUSE--This hotel site was first built upon by one Hartford. He commenced a house which Phineas Rosebrook Jr. moved into about 1827, and finished. This was a square, two story house, plastered on the outside. In 1845 the present building was erected. It is a mile above the Lower falls of the Ammonoosuc. One hundred and fifty guests can find pleasant rooms and a good table here. ------------------------ BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES ------------------------ THE CRAWFORDS Abel Crawford, "the Patriarch of the Hills," was born about 1765. When a young man he made his home among the mountains. He was six feet, four or five inches in height, thin, straight, of dark complexion, pleasant and genial in disposition. He married a daughter of Eleazer Rosebrook. At one time he lived in a log-hut on the huge mound called "Giants Grave" for many months, alone. In 1792, when the Rosebrook family moved into it, the hut was so buried in the snow that the entrance could hardly be found. The weather was so severe that for six weeks, neither the heat of the sun nor the warmth from the cabin would cause the ice to thaw enough to make a drop of water fall from the eaves. They were dependent upon the game they could catch for their sustenance, and often fearing that Mr. Rosebrook might return with his game-bag empty, Mrs. Rosebrook would send the children down through the Notch, a distance of twelve miles, to obtain something for sustenance. Abel Crawford never wearied of relating stories of the hardshipos and adventures of the pioneers. He was rightly named the "veteran pilot" of the mountains, for he was the first guide to the grand scenery now so easily reached. When he was about twenty-five years old, he wandered through the region alone--dressed in tanned moose skin, lord of the "Cradle, hunting-ground, and bier Of wolf and otter, bear and deer." He assisted in cutting the first foot-path to the ridge, and in 1840, at the age of seventy-five, he rode the first horse that climbed the cone of Mt. Washington. The last ten years of his life he was an object of interest to the thousands of visitors to the mountain. His greatest pleasure during this time was to sit and watch the crowds of people come and go. He died when eighty-five years old and is buried near Bemis station. In 1803 the first rude inn for the few visitors was erected on the Giants Grave." In 1819 the first rough path was cut through the forest on the side of the Mt. Washington range to the rocky ridge. Ethan A. Crawford, who was then living on the "Giants Grave," together with his father, Abel Crawford, who then resided eight miles below the "Notch," marked and cleared this path. Ethan built the first protection for visitors under the cone of Mt. Washington. This was a stone hut, its furniture a small stove, an iron chest, a roll of sheet lead, and a plentiful supply of soft moss and hemlock boughs for bedding. The lead was the cabin-register on which visitors wrote their names with a piece of sharp iron or nail. This camp, and all the furniture, was swept off in 1826, on the night of the storm by which the Willey family were overwhelmed and destroyed. Ethan Allen Crawford, the stalward "son of the mountains," was born in 1792. His childhood was passed in a log-hut a few miles from the Notch. In later years, after a fire, in 1818, had consumed his home on "Giants Grave," he lived in a log cabin with but one room without windows. He afterwards built a two-story tavern; this was lathed, not plastered, painted red, and had a stone chimney, in which in the coldest part of the winter, over a cord of wood would be consumed in twenty-four hours. This was the nucleus of the Fabyan House. Twelve miles beyond was the Abel Crawford place, and these two houses comprised the hostelries of the White Mountains in 1827. Ethan A. Crawford rejoiced in a giant's strength which he would exhibit in lifting five hundred weight into a boat or in carrying a buck home alive. He would carry and old-fashioned potash kettle on his head for a long distance, or catch a young bear, tie his legs, swing him over his shoulders and take him home; and if bruin behaved unruly, would unload, take him by his heels and rap his head on a rock or tree until he would hold still. At one time, when driving a load of hay through the "Notch," a furious gust of wind made it topple; he leaned to the ground and caught it on his shoulder to prevent it from falling over a precipice. He would break out the road for miles, through the wild winter drifts; he carried the mail on his back after a freshet to the next settlement, when a horse could not cross the stream; he climbed Mt. Washington laden with heavy burdens, without suffering more fatigue than ordinary men would feel after a level walk of ten miles, and would often return from the summit bearing some exhausted person on his back. The wild animals in a circumference of twenty miles knew him well. Scarcely a week passed which was not marked by some encounter with a bear or a wolf--and with the latter he carried on a warfare of years. He trapped the sables and depopulated the banks of the rivers of otters, and cleared the hills that slope toward the Ammonossuc of the furious freebooters--the wild cats. His affection for all these creatures of the forest was rare, and he tanned bucks and sable, and often had young wolves and "well behaved" bears around his premises; and his love for the Alpine plants was shown by his beautiful collection. Ethan Crawford experience many changes of fortune. In his manhood and old age he entertained many wise and distinguished guests under his plain and rude shelter, and this bold mountaineer, educated in the school of Mother Nature, was never ill at east in the presence of these men learned in law, literature and science. Ethan Crawford's wife was Lucy Howe of Guildhall. Her patience and faithfulness were just the qualities to hold in check his impetuous and hasty spirit. When heavy misfortuned came upon him, her courage and cheer gave him new heart, and when his powerful frame was shaken and tortured by disease and pain, her kindness and trust proved an unfailing comfort. Every form of adversity seemed to beset him-- new hotels drew the travellers from his public-house; the bargain for the sale of his lands was broken; his character was defamed and reputation injured by envious men; and, worse than all these, this man whose life had been passed among the fresh breezes of the mountains, was confined for debt in the close air of Lancaster jail. After leaving his home at Mt. Washington, he went to Vermont, accompanied by his wife, but his hard fortunte continued, and he returned to Carroll to die; an old man before his time, scarcely fifty-six years of age. Few pioneers have done more faithful work or borne so much adversity and suffering, and, in his own words, "So it is that men suffer in various ways in advancing civilization, and through God, manking are indebted to the labors of their fellow beings in many different spheres of life." [Anecdotes of Ethan Allen Crawford, "King of the White Mountains," as related by James W. Weeks] He was nearly six feet and a half in height, broad shoulders, stooped a little; thin in flesh, of light complexion, with light hair and beard, and he would weigh about two hundred and fifty pounds. He delighted in a robust, rough life, but must "rought it" in his own way. He enlisted in the army in the War of 1812. He said he was detailed as one of a scouting party one night under Capt. Weeks, and, after a watch of some hours in the dark, they were ordered to lie down, which they did, and covered themselves with their blankets. In the morning they found themselves buried under six inches of snow, so that the men looked like so many logs of wood under their snow covering. Ethan said "that was too much for him and he got out of it." He lived at the Fabyan place and seemed to have a queer idea of harmony. He had a wolf, a bear, a jackass, a peacock, a flock of guinea hens and a mountain horn six or seven feet long. The horn he delighted to blow to hear the echo; and he sounded it admirably. He would blow his horn, the wolf would howl, the old bear would grunt and growl, the ass would bray, and peacock would scream, and the guinea hens would cackle. If that did not make "music for the gods" it suited Ethan, and amused his visitors. At one time Crawford was coming down Cherry mountain on the old turnpike and his dog treed a "gray cat" or Siberian Lynx, a truly formidable animal. He had no gun, and the cat was beyond his reach upo the tree; so he cut a small birch sapling ten feet long, twisted the top into a noose, then climbing the tree, he quietly slipped the noose over the animal's neck, and with a sudden jerk drew it tight, and brought the cat form the limb. The sapling not being long enough to reach the ground, Ethan came tumbling down, very much mixed up, but, with the help of the dog, the cat was killed and carried home. In the winter of 1829 and 1830 Crawford brought into the old "Coos Hotel," at Lancaster, thirteen bear skins at one time, to get the bounty on them. They were the product of his fall hunting. He sat up to a very late hour that night, and amused a larged company telling his adventures, but I cannot use the exact language which gave spice to his stories. He said that he wanted a pet bear at his house, and could not wait for a cub to grow up, so he thought to tame an old one. When he went to look at his traps, he tooks ropes in his old wagon to bind one if he found one there. He said, "I found a great lean, long-legged old cuss, hitched by one fore paw, about half a mile from where I left my horse, so I noosed a rope around one hind foot, drew it back and tied it to a tree; then the other legs in the same way." Crawford not got on the bear, tied up his mouth, loosened one leg at a time, tied them together, took off the trap and, at last shouldered the brute. He said the weight was about all he could stand under. He started for his wagon, "and," he said, "the bearsweat, and I sweat; his mouth being tied he could not loll, and when I had got almost to where I left my horse, the old cuss gave up the ghost and died on my back." Crawford not going to be thwarted in this way; so he tied another bear and shouldered him as he did the first, but, before he got to his wagon, the bear got a foot loose, and with one sweep of his paw, made sad havoc with the Mountain King's clothes; tearing out the back of his vest, stripping his shirt to his skin which also suffered somewhat, and ripping out the waistband of his pantaloons. Ethan then threw the bear over his head with such force that when it stuck the ground it was killed. Ethan was quite a favorite with the ladies. It was frequently the case that they would insist on walking to the top of Mt. Washington, and, on such occasions, Ethan always accompanied them. They would usually reach the top, but more than one gave out before she got down, and his herculean strength and good nature enabled him to perform grand service as a pack horse at such a time. I have show how Ethan dealt with wild animals. I will now try to give an idea of how he encountered "big" men. He was a Federalist of the Federalists, consequently a great admirer of Daniel Webster. In the days of the old red tavern with the moose-horns for a sign (which was superseded by a better house in 1832), Mr. Webster and his wife, with horse and chaise, were quietly passing through the mountains one overcast morning, and called at Crawfords. He came to the door in his shirt sleeves, placed his hands on the upper casings, leaned upon them, and looked out between his arms to see what was wanted. Mr. Webster said, "Is your name Crawford?" "Yes," was the reply. "I have called to see if you will go with me today to the top of Mt. Washington?" "No!" Ethan replied. "In the first place, it is too late in the day; then the weather ain't suitable, and you couldn't see anything if you went." Mrs. Webster said, "Mr. Webster, perhaps we had better stop over until it clears up." Crawford looked for a moment, took down his hands, stepped out, and asked, "Is your name Webster?" "That is my name," was the reply. "What Webster? What's yer christian name?" "They call me Daniel," answered Webster. Ethan stepped forward, extended his hand and said, "Daniel Webster, I am glad to see you. Give us yer hand. Get out and come in. I am ready to go to the top of Mt. Washington, or to the ends of the earth with you, today or any other day you choose." It is needless to say they "stopped over." ================================= THE ROSEBROOK FAMILY Captain Eleazer Rosebrook, a pioneer from Grafton, Mass., where he was born in 1747, with his wife Hannah Haines, a native of Brimfield, and one daughter, came into the upper Coos as far as Lancaster, where they stopped temporarily, until Mr. Rosebrook should find a place to settled. They moved into the woods up the COnnecticut river to Monadnock, now Colebrook, nearly thirty miles from any inhabitant, with no guide to his cabin excepting blazed trees. During the War of the Revolution, in 1778, he moved to Guildhall, Vt., in order to have his family in the neighborhood of settlements, while he was absent performing military duty on the frontier--not in the regular army, but in the more hazardous and arduous service of scout and ranger. Mrs. Rosebrook was a courageous woman. The Indias were troublesome at times (after having made free use of "fire-water"), yet when once visited by them in her husband's absence, she drove them all from her house, except one squaw who was unable to move, and she dragged her out. Mrs. Rosebrook resided at Guildhall fourteen years, was one of the most active and useful citizens, and took a prominent part in the town affairs. In 1792 he sold his beautiful Connecticut river farm, and in the winter went into the wilderness to Nash and Sawyer's Location. Here he soon built a large two-story house at the base of what was known as the "Giant's Grave," occupying nearly the same site as the Fabyan House, and in 1803 opened the first house for summer visitors in the White Mountains. He was a man of great energy and enterprise; he erected a saw and grist-mill, large barns, stables and sheds. Just as he had got his estate in good condition, he was about to enjoy the comforts acquired by his laborious life, a cancer broke out on his lip, and after patiently bearing his intense suffering for a few years, he died, september 27, 1817. ---- PHINEAS ROSEBROOK Phineas Rosebrook, Sr., son of Eleazer Rosebrook, was born in Guildhall Vermont about 1778, and died in Carroll, September 1846; his wife, Hannah Stillings, a native of Bartlett, was born in 1780. In the spring of 1807 Mr. and Mrs. Rosebrook moved into a log cabin put up by Abel Crawford, some time previously, upon land where their grandson, Frank B. Rosebrook, now resides, where some trees had been felled the year before. Mr. Rosebrook's stock consisted of a yoke of oxen, and a cow. He immediately began cutting up the trees, and clearing his land, but his laborious and persistent exertions brought on a lameness of the back, so that it was with difficulty that he crawled along and drove the oxen; however, his grave wife, with their hired girl, Betsey Tuttle, both strong women, did the logging and seeded the land. The next season, with restored health, Mr. Rosebrook engaged in farming, and also made black salts out of the ashes of elm and other kinds of wood. ("Salts" was their principal currency in those says.) Those he carried to Portland and exchanged for corn, and other necessities of life. After many long years of poverty, pinching economy, and hard labor, Mr. Rosebrook succeeded in paying for his land, and erected substantial buildings for a permanent and comfortable home. His children were Franklin, Leander (dec.), Phineas, Mitchell (died young), Mitchell, Louisa (Mrs. Robert Tuttle) (dec.), Mary (dec.), Laura (dec.), Lee, Eleazer and James F.D. Mr. Rosebrook was a well-formed, muscular man, weighing about one hundred and sixty pounds. Ambitious to prosper, he was industrious, a hard worker, and a good type of the pioneers. He was an "old line" Democrat, and esteemed for his sterling, honest, worth. He and his wife were members of the Free Will Baptist church of Bethlehem. When Ethan Crawford's house was burned, Mrs. Rosebrook, although a woman of extraordinary strength, injured her health by her exertions in getting the goods out of the house. This shortened her life; she died in 1832, aged fifty-two years. Phineas Rosebrook, son of Phineas and Hannah (Stillings) Rosebrook, was born in Carroll, June 4, 1807. He was the first white male child born in the town. His education was acquired from female teachers hired to come to the house, and schools at Bethlehem. He remained with his parents until within a few months of his majority. He married, December 16, 1827, Sophronia, daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Folsom) Tuttle. [Mr. Tuttle was born June 11, 1764, and died October 20, 1847. Mrs. TUttle was born September 26, 1761, and died January 31, 1840. They moved at an early date from Lee to Eaton where Mrs. Rosebrook was born, the youngest of ten children, September 21, 1807. In 1816 they removed to Hart's Location, afterwards to Jefferson, where they passed their last days]. Phineas Rosebrook and wife commenced housekeeping in an unfinished house, which had been built by Hartford, on the site of the "White Mountain House;" this they finished. It was a square, two-story house, and, from the great expense of lumber, plastered on the outside. Mrs. Rosebrook brought to her new home a few articles of household furniture and a cow, the products of her own industry. Mr. Rosebrook, had, as he supposed, purchased this lot of land, but in time found he had bought the wrong lot, and was compelled to buy the one on which his house stood. Four years after, he sold both lots to a Mr. Dennison, taking merely his personal notes for payment, but, disposing of the property, Dennison left the country, and Mr. Rosebrook lost the whole. He then moved to his father's house and remained two or three years, until his mother's death. In 1832, the year of the incorporation of the town, he located on the east branch of John's river, half a mile form his present residence, and put up a little saw-mill, which he conducted for four years, but lost everything, owing to the bad foundations of his dam, and the resultant injury by water. He sold the place for a thousand dollars which just squared him with the world, leaving him without a dollar. But these reverses did not crush his strong nature, and cheered and assisted by his energetic and industrious wife, he made his third attempt to establish a home, and purchased, on time, a lot of one hundred acres, where he now resides, from the heirs of Gen. John Whipple, and moved into a small, unfinished house on this place in 1836. Here he worked for several years getting out lumber, farming, etc., without adding much to his material wealth. In 1853 he borrowed one thousand dollars of his brother-in-law, and put up a potato starch mill. This enterprise was very successful. At the end of his first season he was able to pay the borrowed money, and also, for the building of the mills and its machinery. He raised a large amount of potatoes, sometimes 5,000 bushels a year, and one year he manufactures 50,000 bushels into starch, producing 250 tons. His product he hauled to Littleton, the nearest railroad station, as it was mostly sold to Boston firms. While manufacturing, with his son, Mark, he was engaged in buying wild farm land, from which Mark got off the timber, and, for a few years Mr. Rosebrook had a small store. He cleared up the one hundred acres on the home lot, and has purchased one hundred more, has erected a good house and out buildings, and laid a large amount of stone wall; he also built a new mill. He carried on manufacturing for fifteen or twenty years, and under his prudent and sagacious management it was a financial success. The children of Phineas and Sophronia (Tuttle) Rosebrook attaining maturity were Lee, Jennie (Mrs. Augustus Hodgkins), Amasa, Mark P., Frank B., Eliza J. (Mrs. Nelson A. Glines), Laura A. (Mrs. Frank Hobbs) and John W. Those surviving are Lee and Frank B. This worthy couple have experience many reverses and peculiar sorrows, but have not succumbed to them. Mrs. Rosebrook, although fourscore years of age, is yet active and industrious, and at this writing, is busily engaged in making a patch-work bed-quilt for each of her fifteen grandchildren. She is a cheerful companion and faithful nurse to her husband. Mr. Rosebrook's vigor and health is much impaired, and he is quite feeble physically. He has been a man of diligence, shrewdness and enterprise. The rigid frugality and the unflagging industry in the home life of the pioneer, supplemented by the limited by practical learning of the times, have produced generations of clear and vigorous minds. Mr. Rosebrook is a good representative of this class; he is man of sound judgment and clear understanding. He has always been interested in the affairs of the town. The first year of its organization he was elected selectman, and re-elected many times. His political principles have ever been in accord with those of the Democratic party and enunciated by Thomas Jefferson. He represented Carroll in the state legislature in 1861-62, but has preferred attending to his private affairs to political preferment. Although not a member of any religious denomination, yet his motto in life is the Golden Rule, and he will leave to many descendants the record of an honorable and well-spent life, good deeds and pleasant recollections. (end)